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Author
Joachin Meisner Hertz
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Articles By Joachin Meisner Hertz

Local Church•Vocations

In view of the shortage of priests, diocese grants dispensation from Sunday Mass: where and under what circumstances?

The announcement, delivered in a pastoral letter read across parishes this past Sunday, June 22, acknowledges the growing reality that many Catholics are now unable to attend Sunday Mass through no fault of their own. Nuzik, who has led the Archdiocese of Olomouc since February 2024 and was elected president of the Czech Bishops’ Conference earlier this year, described the move as a “pastoral help”

Church and World•Local Church

How many Catholic parliamentarians are there in Germany? This is the religious composition of the German parliament

Newly released data from the Bundestag’s historical reference manual shows that more than 48 percent of sitting MPs have declared an affiliation with either the Catholic or Protestant churches—outpacing the general population, where these two Christian denominations account for just over 45 percent combined.

Local Church•Vocations

Historic drop in priestly ordinations in Germany by 2025 (these are the 4 exceptions)

The drop in priestly ordinations is not a sudden collapse but the continuation of a trend that has been unfolding for decades. In 1962, 557 men were ordained as diocesan priests in Germany. By 2004, that number had fallen to 122. Ten years later, in 2014, it had dropped further to 75. More recently, the numbers have been even lower—33 in 2022, 35 in 2023, and now 29 in 2024.

Local Church

Bold step in Belgium: laywoman to be named in Mass canon at Masses in the capital city

The memorandum further provides detailed guidance on Alsberge’s role during liturgical celebrations. For example, when visiting parishes, Alsberge is instructed to process into the church alongside the presiding priest, sit prominently in the front row, and address the congregation at key moments—after the Gospel and before the final blessing. She also joins clergy in greeting parishioners as they leave the church.